In days past, the time it took to set up a sophisticated camera system that kept an eye on all corners of the jobsite was lengthy—it was time employees and contractors would have otherwise spent working. And on the jobsite, time lost is money wasted.
Luckily, it doesn’t have to be that way anymore. Recent advances in remote camera systems are allowing contractors to deploy cameras across their jobsites in a fraction of the time, with no IT requirements for onsite monitoring or recording, no CCTV cables to run and nothing to plug in but a power cable. These cameras are part of the ongoing turnkey trend in construction technology.
What are Construction Cameras?
When it comes to camera systems in construction, contractors have a few options at their disposal. Off-the-shelf CCTV surveillance hardware, webcams, and other consumer and commercial vision products exist that make some of the same claims: they can allow operators to see a live view of the jobsite, they can record to onsite or offsite backups, and they can prevent theft and loss. So why bother with dedicated construction cameras?
Simply, construction cameras take some of the best aspects of these other types of cameras and make them better. They’re better designed for the conditions of the jobsite, indoors and out. They come in a wide variety of camera options, such as robotic 360-degree cameras or fixed models, for flexible installations. Some come with solar power or mobile trailers so they can be moved as the job progresses without having to call a technician to relocate them.
One of the key benefits of a construction camera system, as opposed to a traditional surveillance system, is that they are designed to be simple to deploy without requiring any special skills or training. If an employee can turn a wrench, he or she can install a construction camera. Some smart camera systems even feature integration with BIM platforms such as ProCore and Autodesk BIM 360, either as part of the camera itself or through additional hardware and software.
It’s become clear in recent years that the use of cameras on the jobsite is an effective deterrent against theft, and a reliable way to keep those sites secure. But there are some other benefits offered by construction cameras that prospective buyers might not be aware of, like generating marketing material and ensuring safety protocol is being followed. They can also be an effective way to keep stakeholders in the loop, either through photographs or video captured on the devices.
Why Turnkey Tech?
If all these advantages are provided by construction cameras, how does turnkey tech justify the upgrade?
The short answer is that it simplifies the installation process even more, while dramatically improving the usability of the device. They take the latest advances in smart monitoring products and introduce them to existing camera technologies, creating self-contained units. From the second contractors plug a turnkey camera in, it’s up and running with the services provided by the vendor.
Depending on the provider, this video can be stored in the cloud, sent to a BIM suite, or streamed live to the company or project’s website. These features can be bundled as part of an active subscription service, or as an additional fee on top of the camera’s base price, depending on the model or manufacturer.
What are the Key Benefits of Turnkey Construction Cameras?
The biggest benefit of a turnkey camera is the flexibility and ease of use, which allows these units to adapt to any jobsite. They can be deployed anywhere electrical or solar power is available.
This flexibility means they don’t require the expertise of traditional monitoring solutions, and can be installed by any member of a project team. These devices don’t just improve the ability to see what’s happening on the jobsite, but they add real value to the project and company through their systems integration and marketing potential.
Often, the money saved from a turnkey system surpasses the cost of deploying one. It’s also hard to ignore the peace of mind they provide everyone involved in a project, even when nobody’s on the jobsite.
